Selectively anonymous network-enabled rating/evaluating system

Abstract

This invention relates to a system for eliciting, compiling, organizing, and giving access to information, and in particular, evaluation information, regarding providers of professional services. The specific example described herein is directed to a web based rating service and system dedicated to the litigation business world. It provides clients with a comprehensive review of all parties involved in litigation through a rating system specifically designed to fairly evaluate the performances of Judges, Mediators, Experts and Arbitrators. This service and system connects thousands of professionals in the legal industry and allows them to share reviews, comments and knowledge. Users who are part of the same organization (e.g., co-workers) can see the identity of each other to facilitate in-person discussions of the person being evaluated, while the identity of users who are not members of the same organization always remain anonymous.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An evaluation system for evaluating products or service-providers, comprising:
 a database containing evaluation data regarding a plurality of products and/or service-providers, said evaluation data being prepared by users of said evaluation system;   a server configured to receive queries regarding products and/or services, and to output said evaluation data to users of said evaluation system based on said queries;   wherein:   identity information regarding a first user who has prepared evaluation information regarding a first product or service-provider is, by default, withheld from other users of said evaluation system; and   identity information regarding the first user is provided to users of said evaluation system who are associated with a common organization.   
     
     
         2 . The evaluation system of  claim 1 , wherein said service providers comprise legal professionals. 
     
     
         3 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise judges. 
     
     
         4 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise lawyers. 
     
     
         5 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise mediators. 
     
     
         6 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise arbitrators. 
     
     
         7 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise expert witnesses. 
     
     
         8 . The evaluation system of  claim 2 , wherein said legal professionals comprise any of lawyers, judges, arbitrators, and mediators. 
     
     
         9 . The evaluation system of  claim 1 , wherein said organization comprises a law firm. 
     
     
         10 . The evaluation system of  claim 1 , wherein said organization comprises a company. 
     
     
         11 . The evaluation system of  claim 1 , wherein said organization comprises an insurance company.